The Wolf of Wall Street: Movie Review

Rags to riches to prison with copious amounts of sex and illegal drug use throughout. Does that grab your attention? It if does then I highly recommend that you see The Wolf of Wall Street because that's the film in a nutshell. If Boiler Room and Blow (both great movies) had a movie child it'd be something like The Wolf of Wall Street.

The film is based on the true story of former stockbroker Jordan Belfort. If you're interested in seeing just how accurately the movie portrays his life, he's written two memoirs: The Wolf of Wall Street and Catching the Wolf of Wall Street.

Jordan Belfort is played by Leonardo Dicaprio and as you'd expect it's another great performance in the books for Leo. Jonah Hill plays Belfort's blatantly Jewish right-hand man, Donnie Azzof. You're right to be skeptical of Jonah Hill in this type of roll, but don't be surprised if he's your favorite character by the end of the film. He does a great of job blending the perfect balance of seriousness, sarcastic humor and ridiculous drug-induced antics. No discussion of the cast is complete without mentioning Margot Robbie, who plays Jordan Belfort's second wife. Yes, you get to see her naked and it's awesome.

The movie isn't so much about the plot as it is about the ride that it takes you on. It moves at a good pace and you'll find yourself entertained (or disgusted depending on your tolerance for cocaine use and prostitutes) throughout almost the entirety of the film. It is nearly three hours in length but it doesn't feel too long until the last 15 or so minutes.

The Wolf of Wall Street is nominated for five Oscars but that shouldn't be the reason you decide to go see it (on a side note, Leonardo Dicaprio has never won an Oscar which is pretty hard to believe). I place my trust in IMDB, which is based strictly on an average of reviews, and it has an 8.7. For reference, only three films have a 9 or higher (The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, and the Godfather: Part II). So, yeah, 8.7 is really good.

On a final note, I know that people are often curious about whether a movie is a good "date movie". The main character in The Wolf of Wall Street regularly binge drinks, abuses cocaine and quaaludes, and cheats on his spouse with prostitutes. Does that answer the question?